Vizcaino aces second take

Take Two was a keeper for Luis Vizcaino. After failing to escape one inning in his Rockies’ debut, the right-handed reliever looked much better in Sunday’s game against the Mexican national team. His velocity was fine in his opener, but a faulty arm slot sabotaged his location.
“I got my arm in a better position. It felt much better,’’ Vizcaino said.
It’s impossible to overstate Vizcaino’s importance to the bullpen, particularly if Matt Herges’ backslides. Vizcaino believes a return to the NL, where he dominated with the Diamondbacks in 2006, should help his career.

Footnotes
Infielder Jeff Baker hit and took groundballs before today’s game, but is not in the lineup either today or Tuesday. Baker said his left elbow is fine. He should return to playing soon. … Left fielder Holliday is wearing a silver necklace with two dogtags featuring the names of his sons Jackson and Ethan. … Slugging Arizona pitcher Micah Owings will hit either seventh or eighth against the Rockies today. Owings won the Silver Slugger as the NL’s best-hitting pitcher last season. Several Rockies predicted that he wouldn’t see nearly as many fastballs this year. … Ryan Spilborghs, who was slowed by a leg injury or general soreness depending on whom you ask, is scheduled to start in the outfield Tuesday at home against Kansas City. … The Rockies won’t use a designated hitter against Kansas City, wanting Ubaldo Jimenez to get practice in bunting.

Patrick, a third-generation Colorado native, is back for his second stint covering the Rockies. He first covered the team from 2005-2009, helping chronicle “Rocktober” in 2007 and also following the team’s playoff run in 2009.

Nick Groke has worked at The Denver Post since 1997, as a sports reporter, city reporter, entertainment writer and digital editor and producer, among other newsroom posts. He also writes regularly about boxing, soccer, MMA and NASCAR.